A Reason For Treason [A Retelling of a Legend]

[Guinevère]

Camelot was in peril. Not the quick danger that brought on a wave of death, and then moved on. This one was a slow tormenting danger that made living int he kingdom dangerous. Many waited for the ax for fall, while the walked carfully on eggshells. Yet things had not always been so. Once Camelot had been a glorious kingdom--one of the richest, and most welcoming. The old king, King Uther, had been a hard man but in hindsight, had done well for the kingdom. He hated magic, and had hunted it to all but nothing. . . only to discover his own daughter had magic. After years of living in fear from her father, Morgana had turned from the vibrant protection of all who needed it -- to the bitter, angry princess. Using magic, she killed her father, and took his throne.

In upset over her actions, many would not swear loyalty to her. She began openly hunting them down, and having them publicly executed. When one spoke against her, she answered with death. Guinevère, or Gwen to her friends, had been Morgana's handmaiden since Morgana was only 13. Morgana, needing friends, kept Guinevère close to her during her rein. Yet Guinevère was a person of peace and kindness. She knew Morgana needed to be stop, but was powerless to do so.

Until . . .

Morgana discovered papers that Uther had an affair, before she was born. There had been a son! An heir! An older, legal heir to the throne! Morgana demanded that Guinevère help her dig in the papers to find the name of the son. And, Guinevère did--only to burnt he paper before Morgana could find the name. She only ever shared it with Sir Leon, a trusted knight, who sought to remove Morgana from the throne.

And thus, a race began . . . . who could find the man first. Morgana, or Leon. Whomever this Arthur was, he was about to learn he was Arthur Pendragon

[Guinevère]

Guinevère walked alone in the market, a straw basket on one arm as she looked over the local venders. In in the capital, she was known as Morgana's handmaiden, and people never seemed to know how to treat her. There was always kindness, but there was an unspoken fear that she hated and worked hard to erase. Yet whenever she began to ease their comfort with them, something would happen and she'd find herself starting a little over.

Yet here, there was nothing. They didn't know her face, and spoke to her with openness. They knew the queen would visiting an estate near by, but they didn't know who Guinevère was, so she was almost invisible. It was welcome. It made her smile brightly, and enjoy her day! She hadn't felt this at ease in years! Not since Morgana took over!

It happened while she was looking at a scarf, that she heard the commotion. A young boy was being man handled, with an older beefy looking man yelling at him. It was clear the boy had stolen something. Knowing she had extra coin (Morgana at least paid her well) Guinevère begin to move forward to help.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
Note: Better layout coming soon!

for the love

OF CAMELOT

Times were difficult. Everyone felt it especially since the queen had taken the throne. So when there were incidents that captured the attention of onlookers, people usually walked . . . or in the rare occasion, helped. Arthur didn't exactly like being the center of attention. He preferred to keep to his own . . . unless he saw injustice. His mother had raised him to always help those in need. Sometimes the cost was high, but if one could walk out of a situation with a clean conscience, it was worth it. So while working in his forge, Arthur could not turn away when he saw a large man grab a child aggressively. He paused his work to watch and quickly assess the situation. The words that Arthur could hear of thievery indicated what the boy had done, and the bread gripped in the large man's hand indicated what the boy had taken. This was one of those incidents that Arthur could not ignore.

Setting down his tools he made his way over. "Let him go," Arthur told him. The man sharply turned to look at Arthur, but made no move to comply. Arthur locked eyes with the man, implying that he was not going to back down either as he approached him confidently. With Morgana's rule, and the fear people lived in, times were indeed tough and looting as well as extreme poverty were not rare in Camelot. Especially in their town. Despite the nearby noble's attempt to appeal to the queen, their small town was left unaddressed. "Mind yer own business!" The man snapped at Arthur. Arthur glanced down at the boy, seeing his eyes wide with fear being enough to encourage Arthur to stay grounded in place. He wasn't about to prolong the confrontation either.

Reaching into his pocket, Arthur took out a coin and tossed it at the man. He made just enough to get by, but the poor boy looked like he hadn't eaten for some time. "That should cover it along with an additional loaf," he told him. The man glanced at the coin before glaring at Arthur. Clearly, he had offended his pride but Arthur didn't care. He felt other people's eyes on him and he just wanted to end this so he could go back to his business. "Unless you want others to see that you are a dishonest in your dealings. Might make for an unfortunate reputation." The man's hold on the boy's shirt tightened, as if that was his silent retaliation against Arthur. Arthur took another step forward, now closer to the man and the boy as he attempted to get between them.

"Give him his coin's worth." It seemed that that final demand, and the spectators was convincing enough for the merchant for he too feared the reputation he may gain if he did not give proper amount for the coin. He roughly released the boy and grumbling with irritation, shoved two loaves of bread at the boy before angrily turning around, purposely hitting his shoulder against Arthur as he walked by him. Arthur remained still waiting for the man to fully walk away before turning to the boy who gave him a nod and looked at Arthur in confusion. As if he was going to take the bread from him. Arthur just smiled at gave him a nod before the boy hugged the bread to his chest, thanked Arthur and hurried off home. Breathing a sigh of relief that it was over, Arthur quietly returned to his forge, and proceeded to polish one of his newly completed swords.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère was approaching the man when she hear, "Let him go," and another man stepped up to handle it. She slowed her walk, and waited out of the way, but watching on. It seemed tense, but thankfully short. The man even paid for the bread. When it was over, both men went back to work, and the child ran on.

Guinevère waited there for a moment, before walking over to the forge and pausing out of the way. "That was kind of you," she told him, now taking the time to get to look at him. He was younger then the angry man, but still tall and well built. Blacksmiths spent their days pounding mental into shapes. "Do you know the boy?'" She asked, wondering if they were friends.

She glance around the forge, taking in the families sights of everything in it. She loved and missed her father. Her brother too, but Elyan was still alive. Looking back at the man who'd protected the boy, she smiled brightly at him. It was rare you found someone willing to fight for others in the kingdom anymore, and she found herself impressed by his actions. She liked knowing there was still good in the world!

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
Note: Better layout coming soon!

for the love

OF CAMELOT

An unfamiliar voice gave Arthur paused as he looked towards the source. A young woman approached, one that he had not met before. But . . . she was indeed beautiful, so Arthur surely would have remembered her if they had met previously. She wasn't someone he'd likely forget. He offered a small smile back, setting the sword down and turning to face her, as it was the polite thing to do. "It was the right thing to do," he told her. Rather than kind, it was right. To help a starving boy.

Would the kingdom not be a better place if they helped each other rather than butted heads? "No," he answered honestly. "But I know of his plight." Anyone who saw what he was doing, would have. "At least generally." Hunger. Whether he was stealing it for himself or his family, Arthur didn't know nor would he get into. "Is there something that brings you to market?" He asked, trying to find out more about her. She didn't look as if she was from around here, but perhaps she was new. And Arthur wished he could further help but directing her to anything in particular she was looking for. Perhaps, even escort her.

[Guinevère]

The right thing. Guinevère liked that he thought of it like this. She smiled a little brother, and her chin lifted a little in pride. This was one of her fellow countrymen. She was glad he thought of things in terms of this. "I agree." Protecting others was the right thing to do. She wished Morgana felt that way again. "No one should go without something as simple as a meal." And yet, more and more of Morgana's citazin did without, while she sought to lock down her power. Even now Morgana was talking to an local noble, and she was planning to make him wear to help her hunt down her 'brother'. They'd found out Uther had visited here often years ago.

He asked her about being in the market, and she gave a soft shrug. She was escaping for a while, from her job of being supporting to a queen who she no longer supported. "I am just looking to see the local venders." She liked to escape to these small towns who didn't know her. She wasn't Morgana's anything--she was just herself. "Sometimes I just like to walk around," Yet she was in no hurry to leave. The local hero was handsome, and he had a kind face. She wasn't in a hurry to walk away. "I've never been here before, and find it very enjoyable."

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
Note: Better layout coming soon!

for the love

OF CAMELOT

Arthur fully agreed. No one should go without a meal, and unfortunately, he saw more and more people falling into this unfortunate circumstance. But, he also knew he had to be careful. To speak against the queen and her politics was treason. And Arthur was not foolish enough to have such political conversations where it could be overheard. He was far more cautious and careful than that. Instead, he focused on her latter words, speaking of the vendors and that she was visiting to see what the market offered. "Well in that case, welcome to our humble town," he properly greeted.

"I fear my own shop would be of little interest to you," he acknowledged with an amused smile, glancing around his forge before looking back at her. He doubted she would like to look around a place that offered only metals and fire. "But if you'd like, I can direct you to some decent stalls," he offered. Pausing for a moment, he decided to be a bit more bold than that. "Or if you care for some company, escort you," he offered with a continued smile. He found himself rather enjoying her company. And, there was something about her . . . apart from her outward beauty that made him not ready to yet part ways with her. If she would have it so.

[Guinevère]

"Well in that case, welcome to our humble town," Guinevère contuined to smiled at the handsome stranger, "Thank you, I find it beautiful here!" She loved how drifferent it as fromt he city. She loved the city when it was in it's glory though. It just had been a long time since these days. "I fear my own shop would be of little interest to you," That made her laugh, "You'd be surprised. My father was a blacksmith. I grew up in the forge he owned." She had many memeories of watching him, and playing with Elyan while waiting for him to finish work.

"Or if you care for some company, escort you," Guinevère felt a soft blush touch her cheeks at the idea of spending more time with him. "I'd like that." She admitted, knowing she wanted to enjoy the handsome. "I would not bee keeping you from work?" She asked, not wanting him to have to work later tonight because he spent time with her . . . yet, she wanted to time to be someone else. Not someone worried about Morgana or the people thinking Guinevère was her pawn. She wanted to just be a girl who was there to do nothing.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
Note: Better layout coming soon!

for the love

OF CAMELOT

Well, it had certainly grown more beautiful now. When she spoke of how her father was a blacksmith, brief surprise crossed his features though his smile remained. "Really?" He asked, vocalizing the reaction. He also didn't miss that she spoke of it in past tense, and wondered if it was too nosy to pry about it. While thinking over the question, he waited for her response to his offer, finding himself oddly nervous about it. After all, he was a stranger so would not take offence if she refused.

Though when she accepted, saying that she would like it even, he felt relief wash over and promptly turned to pull the doors of his forge shut, appreciating her concerned about keeping him from his work. "Not at all," he assured her, turning to face her once more. "As a resident here, it is also my duty to welcome a guest," he told her shifting so that they could start walking alongside once another. "So tell, how did you like growing up in a forge? Be honest," he added teasingly, curious to hear her thoughts of it. It wasn't after all every day he met a beautiful woman who just so happened to be familiar with a forge.

[Guinevère]

He closed up his shop, and Guinevère reached up to make sure her hair wasn't flying everywhere, while his back was turned. She smiled at him as he came beside her, and they began walking. "Very smart, a guest could get lost in such a place," She teased him. In truth it wasn't large enough to get lost in, but she enjoyed spending time with him. He was handsome, and kind, and funny. She almost wished he was closer to the city and she could see him more often--yet that might take way from the special feeling of this talk.

"So tell, how did you like growing up in a forge? Be honest," Guinevère looked over (and up) toward his face, "I loved it! My mother died giving when I was born, so I my father would take me to the forge so he could work. He never cared I was under foot." She laughed at a memory, "My brother and I played often there before we grew old enough to take care of ourselves." And then her father wanted her doing other things, so she could become a ladies maid. He worked to give her nice things, pretty dresses. "I loved being there on the cold nights. The fires were always the warmest part of the city."

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
Note: Better layout coming soon!

for the love

OF CAMELOT

It seemed impossible to stop smiling in her company. "Exactly," he agreed when she suggested the possibility of getting lost. Going along with the tease, he added "And encounter rather, undesirable company, such as the man you saw earlier." A light tease towards the rather unfriendly looking man who had attacked a child. Falling into a comfortable pace alongside her, he listened to her memories of the forge, hearing her speak of how her mother passed and her and her brother were raised in there.

"That sounds nice," he stated with the utmost sincerity. He had no siblings nor father. Only a mother who had passed away. "To spend days there with your family certainly warms the place more than any fire could I'm sure." Arthur had always been fascinated with metals and weaponry; a big reason he had started the forge. Besides, it made decent enough coin that he could support his small family of two -- at the time. "And what do you do now?" He asked curiously, as she seemed to speak of her father and the forge in past tense.

[Guinevère]

"And encounter rather, undesirable company, such as the man you saw earlier." Her smiled faded for a moment, as she made a face of pretend fear. "Any man so unpleasent to a hungry child, is not one I wish to encounter." She said, and nor would she wish to spend her coins there and aid in his greed. She rather fin something she didn't need to buy from a family who needed the coin. This way she knew she was helping someone, not giving another what he wanted more then humanity.

"To spend days there with your family certainly warms the place more than any fire could I'm sure." These words made her smile up at him, and her look clear that she loved he understood. "Yes!" It was hard to put that into words. The feeling of just BEING with a person you loved--a father, a brother. "And what do you do now?" There it was. The question that would out her. "I'm a servant in the castle," She explained, not being compleatly honest as she didn't explain she was Morgana's personal handmaiden. That would ruin this.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
Note: Better layout coming soon!

for the love

OF CAMELOT

Arthur had to hold back an amused smile if he was to play along with the jest. "And as there are no knights about to protect such a maiden, you may find the company of a blacksmith serve as helpful." Another tease, something that he found rather easy to engage with her in. Teases. Jests. How, comfortable he was with a woman he had just met. He found himself increasingly glad that she had approached him.

Her expression upon his words caused him to pause and just look at her, trying to fully understand and appreciate the gaze behind her eyes. If possible, she grew even more beautiful when her smile brightened like that, seeming to radiate from her entire being. He brought out of his gaze -- or trance -- when she answered his next question, surprise once again crossing his face. "That's quite incredible," he said, meaning it. To be a servant in the castle was quite an honour. He paused for a moment, looking around as if about to tell her a secret, before leaning towards her a little. "I would keep this to yourself," he said with teasing warning in his voice, pretending to be serious -- though part of him was.

"No one I know of here has even stepped foot in the courtyard of the castle. You would be bombarded with questions and desires for stories of tales from the castle of Camelot." News had spread that the queen was visiting the noble family nearby. So Arthur could only assume that as a servant of the castle, Guinevère came with her. His smile returned as he leaned back from having been so close to her. Realizing he had lingered in this position for far too long. "Perhaps I shouldn't be one of those people," he said once again, with teasing in his voice to hear more of her position. But in actuality, he was more interested in learning about her, rather than the castle and queen.

[Guinevère]

"I find the company of a blacksmith very welcome," She told him, blushing slightly at her own words, and his teasing. She liked it. She knew she shouldn't but she did. He was very handsome, and kind, and funny. He had the bluest eyes, and such a calming way about him. She spoke of things being right, instead of kind. She wanted to be his friend, even if she knew that once Morgana went back, she would never see him again.

He told her that she shouldn't tell anyone, and for a moment her smile faded, but his words brought it back. He told her others would want stories. Hinted that even he might ask for a few. "I fear the stories wouldn't be well told." ANd even if they were, they wouldn't be present. Things were more then tense there. Morgana was killing the unloyal and hunting down this brother she had. Guinevère fear she'd kill anyone she even thought of as Uther's son. "I will take your wise advice, and keep it to myself." She teased back, trying to make sure things didn't turn too dark. "And hear more of you. Was your father a blacksmith, or did you choose to work in the 'oven'." She teased, calling it the nice name some blacksmiths have given the forge.

"Oh!" Turning to face him, she paused walking seeming to realize she'd forgotten the most basic of questions, "I apologize, I forgot to ask your name. I am Guinevère, or Gwen." Guinevère sounded almost too formal. No one called her that.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
Note: Better layout coming soon!

for the love

OF CAMELOT

Arthur couldn't help but feel honoured that she found his company welcome -- even if it was generally speaking of a blacksmith. But he also did not fail to notice the colour that touched her cheeks. Perhaps, he was looking at her a little too closely. Taking in her features a little too closely. What he did know, was that he enjoyed drawing that reaction from her. "I believe otherwise," he told her confidently, when she spoke of how the stories wouldn't be well told. There was something very, endearing about her. Very captivating. He didn't doubt others would feel it too. Besides, she seemed rather well spoken.

He smiled when she asked him of his father, knowing that it was no painful memory, though not information he advertised either. While he longed to have known him, he could not change the past. "I never knew my father," he told Guinevère. "He was gone before I was born." His mother told him that he had not stayed when she was with child. Arthur did not push her for more information as it was a difficult topic for her to talk about. "It was only my mother and I growing up," he added on. When she introduced herself, Arthur suddenly felt incredibly stupid for not having asked her name earlier. "Guinevère," he repeated, liking the way her name sounded. "That's a very beautiful name," he praised. "Very fitting," he added on, calling her beautiful in this way. "My name is Arthur," he introduced in return.

[Guinevère]

"I never knew my father," Guinevère wished she hadn't asked, but didn't make to make things worse by adding too it. "His loss, for his son seems like a good man," She told him, thinking back to how she liked him. Why she met him, and his . . . honor. There was the word she couldn't place a moment go. He ha honor. More then most. It wasn't kindness, he was doing what was right. "It was only my mother and I growing up," She wanted to ask about this woman who raised such a son. Alone. Surely she was an amazing woman. Teaching him to do what was right, and always be kind.

"Guinevère," Her name on his lips. She liked the way his voice toyed with it, and made is slightly longer. Accented it differently then how it used to sound. "My name is Arthur," He name was---oh his name was! Her face froze for a moment. The ground seemed to tilt slightly as the Earth moved under her feet, but she stayed steady. "I never knew my father," he had said that, "My name is Arthur," He was Arthur. He was . . . . here . . . where Morgana believed Uther to have spent time in his youth. He was here, and he was named Arthur. "I never knew my father," and he didn't know his father.

She knew her face was betraying the surprise, and perhaps a bit of fear over his name. Fear for him. For what this meant. Yet she needed to be sure. Looking around, as if suddenly Morgana's men would appear, she leaned forward and whispered, "Arthur, Son of Igraine?" because she knew the woman's name. She knew his name. Morgana did not.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
Note: Better layout coming soon!

for the love

OF CAMELOT

Once again, Arthur felt proud that when she spoke of how he was a good man. The fact that she thought so . . . swelled his heart. But, something seemed to change, and his mind tried to replay the last few moments. The last thing he had said to her, which was his name. But her expression and demeanour altered completely . . . and he wondered what had happened. Had he caused her offence somehow? "Are you alright?" He asked, hoping he hadn't spoiled their time together with . . . whatever it was he had said. He even glanced around them to see if someone had made her uncomfortable. But then, she said his mother's name and he froze.

Guinevère had said she'd never been here before. And his mother and him had never been to the capital. This felt very . . . unsettling. As did the way she asked him. And the fact that she knew his mother's name. "You knew my mother?" He asked her, a mix of seriousness and curiosity growing on his face. "What do you know of her?" He further asked, unsure how she could know of Igraine. Him and his mother were commoners. How could she know his mother simply from his own name, unless they had family friends or something? But even still, why mention it at all? And . . . the way she said it. The expression her face held. Something was not quite right.

[Guinevère]

He confirmed it. He . . . yes he did. Guinevère looked around, this time her fear making her turn all the way around, looking behind her. Subtle wasn't her strong suit--she was a terrible spy! Turning back to face ARTHUR she leaned in to whisper again, "We need to leave the market. Please." Reaching out she took his hands in her's dropping her basket. She cared not for it when she he;d THE SON OF UTHER PENDRAGON in her hands, and Morgana was hunting him down. "Please, Arthur . . . I know we have only just met but I beg of you. Trust me."

He had no reason, and he'd have even less once she spoke to him about what she needed to say. She needed to talk to Leon before she could do anything, but right now she needed to speak to him. Explain the danger he was in. Keep him safe. She had to make sure that Morgana didn't find out about the woman Uther had a son with, and then find the son--especially since she had already decided that she liked him. OH! No. She could NOT like him. She was a servant, and even if he didn't know it yet, he was royalty. Even if he didn't take the crown, he was still the son of the king.

Guinevère knew it wasn't her place to offer him the crown, but she could tell him of his father. Then she would ride back with Morgana, and tell Leon. He would know what to do with this information! How to go about making a plan for the kingdom, and for the crown. Morgana would not go down without a fight. "Please," she added, staring up into his eyes.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
Note: Better layout coming soon!

for the love

OF CAMELOT

Arthur didn't understand. He was thoroughly confused. One second they were having a conversation filled with teasing and smiles and now . . . she looked scared. Paranoid perhaps. Arthur wasn't even sure what the right term was. She took his hands in herds and pleaded with him to leave . . . and to trust her. Arthur wasn't entirely sure about that. While there was an undeniable sincerity about her . . . he was confused more than anything. And, he had not failed to notice that she didn't answer his question about what she knew of his mother.

"Has someone made you uncomfortable?" He asked, looking around them to see if anyone was watching. He had been joking earlier about such things but the genuine thought of it now crossed her mind as she had looked around almost frantically. Clearly it was not him if she wanted to leave the market with him and was currently holding his hands. "We can . . . return to the forge," he suggested, Because he wasn't entirely sure he should take her to his home. He wasn't sure if that was . . . safe, for either of them with how she was talking right now. "Tell me what's wrong, Guinevère," he asked her, returning her intent gaze into her eyes.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère didn't answer, she refused too until they were safe. Thankfully they didn't have far to walk to the forge. Once they were inside, and away from others she would explain. The walk back felt as if it lasted forever, but soon enough they were walking into his forge. She waited until he was, before asking "Please, close the door." Needing to know they were away from others who might see them--not that he looked like Uther, but she would be known to any of Morgana's men.

"I fear, I have no been competently honest." She began, "I am a servant in the castle only . . . I am the queen's handmaiden." She knew most would think ill of her for working so close to a woman who was ruling so evilly. Yet Guinevère hoped that this was the point where it paid off. If she could save his life now, then it was worth it. She was calmer now, but her heart still beat hard. She took a seat, in the room and looked up at him. "And I think she is here because of you."

Because of a paper found in Uther's belongings. One that Guinevère burned to protect him. Only Leon and a few trusted others knew of what it said. "And she might not be the only one."